I am really torn here, because I adore all three of these guys. My top choice is Kurt. Then I would go with Todd. It just breaks my heart that neither of them have an Olympic medal of any color, but I am grateful that they have had World level success in other Olympic eligible competitions, and have continued to have great pro careers.

Choice #3 is Brian Orser. I'm guessing that back in 1984, had compulsory figures not been part of the scoring, that he would have won the gold medal. Two Olympic silver medals - not shabby by any means, and I'm so glad that he is still so involved with the sport.

My vote goes to Kurt, it is just astonishing how badly he did at all 3 Olympics even he is simply one of the greatest of ALL time!

Kurt is someone I'd watch outside competition forever, his mastery of the footwork, the first quad, all his pizazz and personality on ice is quite infectious. Not that dissimilar to Lambiel actually, but at least Stephane won a silver in Tourin, the highest Kurt ever got was 5th which is still mind boggling.

It would be interesting to compile all these greatest in an opinion ranked table, and wonder if they ever console each other about it (I doubt it for the record).

I would say Kurt, especially since he never managed to win an Olympic MEDAL, let alone a gold.

Elvis and Brian are close second choices, because they both came so close twice with two silvers each, especially Brian in the Battle of the Brians. I think Elvis could have won in '98 if he was not so injured (I know this is probably going to start some debate).

Joubert and Takahashi could still win an OGM, although I don't think it's likely for Joubert at this point.

Joubert was never a 'great' skater though he was a contender for a world title many times.

Buttle, as good he was to watch, he was never a consistent jumper. He could not even land a 3A consistently (neither did Lambiel but he could do two quads in his programs). IMO he was lucky to win a world championship.

Toller Cranston was great in his own way, because of his creativity, but I doubt that he was ever an OGM contender.

Daisuke Takahashi is still skating, so he does not belong on this poll. I expect him (like Mao Asada) to be back in the Olympics in Sochi.

The one missing on this poll is Jan Hoffman. He went head to head with Robin Cousins and lost the OGM in 1980. Hoffman was just a figures skater, and not a free skate type skater like Cousins, but in that era (of compulsory figures) I believe he was one of the great skaters.

My vote went to Brian Orser, although Kurt Browning is the one that really jumps out as soon as you look at this poll. Orser lost the OGM in 1984 only due to CF (he won the SP and the LP). He lost to Boitano on the technical marks in a tie breaker in 1988. Next year they changed the rules and artistic marks became the tie breaker criterion. Had they used it in 1988, Orser would have won the OGM, and not Boitano.

Toller Cranston was great in his own way, because of his creativity, but I doubt that he was ever an OGM contender.

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IMO Toller is one of greatest ever mens skaters. Technically he did everything that was required at the time but it was the way he did it that makes him so special. He is the one who revolutionised mens skating. He really did turn the skating world on his head. He was treated like a rockstar by the fans and his winning the LP at the 1972, 74 and 75 Worlds just shows that the judges actually did eventually accept his style. If he'd ever laid down figures in competition the way he did in practice he absolutely would have been THE favourite for the OGM in 1976. Who was there to rival him? Curry had been incredibly inconsistent up to that point, Hoffmann was injured the whole of 1975 which leaves Kovalev and Volkov. No one knew John would get his act together the way he did heading into the 1976 season.

Daisuke Takahashi is still skating, so he does not belong on this poll. I expect him (like Mao Asada) to be back in the Olympics in Sochi.

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I hope I'm wrong but I don't think Takahashi's place on an Olympic team in Sochi is a sure thing. With Kozuka's amazing skate in Moscow and Hanyu looking so fabulous this summer, Dai and Oda may very well be vying for the third spot in 2014. (Which just seems so unfair that we could be denied a skater of their calibre at such an event.)

The one missing on this poll is Jan Hoffman. He went head to head with Robin Cousins and lost the OGM in 1980. Hoffman was just a figures skater, and not a free skate type skater like Cousins, but in that era (of compulsory figures) I believe he was one of the great skaters.

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Aww Jan never gets any love. He didn't have style but his basics were solid, he was very strong at figures and overall he was the strongest technician of the 1970's, pushing the envelope with the triple lutz and regularly landing four different triples in the LP. He wanted to retire in the late 70's and go on to medical school but was 'persuaded' to remain in competition until 1980 by the powers that be in the GDR. He came to Lake Placid with his best ever LP choreographically, skated lights out in all three phases of the competition, not putting a foot wrong and still came second.

As a Brit, I was a huge fan of Cousins skating and still am, but you have to feel for Jan. A lot has always been made of the fact that Linda would have won the OGM if the factored system was in place at the time. But many forget that Jan would have beaten Robin very comfortably if they were scored under factored placements. Jan's competitors had a lot of respect for him due to his overall skating talent in figures and free as well as his incredible consistency and longevity in major competition. (1968 - 1980).

Very interesting post, Floskate! Thanks for the history lessons. I hope you are wrong about Takahashi, but logic says you may be right. I don't see Oda rebounding, but Takahashi may still have a chance.

BTW I am surprised to see Orser get so few votes-may be because he skated in the 1980's and Lambiel is more recent? I never thought of Lambiel as a 'great' skater. He was a great spinner and a very good skater, who won when Plushenko was not around (2005 & 2006 worlds). He was good enough to beat Lysacek just a couple years before the 2010 Oly, but seemed to have lost that by the 2010 Olys. I am not saying he does not belong on this poll, but in my eyes Orser was so much better when he was at the top of his game.

I know what you mean. "Great" or not, uhhmmm, I've stolen the thread title and I've chosen those who have been at least World Champion during the past years (plus Toller). And no, I don't expect Dai or Joubert coming back in Socchi.

Otoh, there have been a few "not-so-great Olympic Champions" as well ...

IMO Toller is one of greatest ever mens skaters. Technically he did everything that was required at the time but it was the way he did it that makes him so special. He is the one who revolutionised mens skating. He really did turn the skating world on his head. He was treated like a rockstar by the fans and his winning the LP at the 1972, 74 and 75 Worlds just shows that the judges actually did eventually accept his style. If he'd ever laid down figures in competition the way he did in practice he absolutely would have been THE favourite for the OGM in 1976. Who was there to rival him? Curry had been incredibly inconsistent up to that point, Hoffmann was injured the whole of 1975 which leaves Kovalev and Volkov. No one knew John would get his act together the way he did heading into the 1976 season.

My first choice would be Kurt. And my second choice would be Browning. And my third choice would be Kurt Browning. I am still in denial that he never got to hit the Olympic podium whereas other skaters I won't name are even Olympic champs although their legacy to figure skating is hardly worth mentioning, whether on the technical side or the artistic side.

My first choice would be Kurt. And my second choice would be Browning. And my third choice would be Kurt Browning. I am still in denial that he never got to hit the Olympic podium whereas other skaters I won't name are even Olympic champs although their legacy to figure skating is hardly worth mentioning, whether on the technical side or the artistic side.

I knew it would be a huge gigantic landslide for Browning and it is a dserved landslide so I voted for Stojko because he had no votes. So many times a world champion and twice Olympic silver medalist and a total jumping revolutionary! And he did totally unique and creative programs that no one even thought of doing!

I knew it would be a huge gigantic landslide for Browning and it is a dserved landslide so I voted for Stojko because he had no votes. So many times a world champion and twice Olympic silver medalist and a total jumping revolutionary! And he did totally unique and creative programs that no one even thought of doing!

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Um, you do know that there were people doing your beloved quad before Stojko did it, right?

And I can't recall "creative" being an adjective that was used too often to describe Stojko's programs.

Of those on the list, I think its Toller Cranston, without a doubt. And, if Johnny Weir wouldn't be considered by some as one of the greatest (to never win an Olympic medal), he's certainly one of the most talented and influential men's singles skaters of his era. I would also have included Alexander Abt on this list (sans his injuries, he probably would have accomplished much more in his career). Clearly AA is one of the sexiest men's singles skaters, IMHO.

I'm very surprised Toller doesn't have more votes, but I definitely understand why many would choose Kurt Browning.

As much as I like Todd, I also loved Timothy Goebel. I know some who would remember a certain message board where we used to pick about Todd and Tim, and I liked both of them. I always loved Tim's quad!
Editing to add that I meant Tim never won Gold. I hope that counts.

I knew it would be a huge gigantic landslide for Browning and it is a dserved landslide so I voted for Stojko because he had no votes. So many times a world champion and twice Olympic silver medalist and a total jumping revolutionary! And he did totally unique and creative programs that no one even thought of doing!

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Um, you do know that there were people doing your beloved quad before Stojko did it, right?

And I can't recall "creative" being an adjective that was used too often to describe Stojko's programs.

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I don't know, Stojko did have a unique style and while I don't feel he showed great range, he did stand out with some of his programs. While his skating certainly can't be everyone's cup of tea, he deserves credit for that, as well as for what he accomplished on the technical side.

I went with Kurt; considering all that he did in his career, it defies belief that never even medalled at the Olympics.

I would have to say Kurt Browning for sure based on all he won in the past and how brilliant he was. He could turn a non-fan into a fan, glued to their tv. He could jump, skate to the music, do innovative footwork, draw a crowd, and make you laugh. He had it all didn't he? His mastering of footwork and music is only matched by Yags imo.

In my dreams it would also be Alexander Abt. He was such a beautiful skater such a shame all the injuries. Also would have loved to see Johnny Weir win.